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End of the Falmer Station burger van



KNC

Well-known member
Sep 3, 2003
2,022
Seven Dials
A burger van owner has been told he can no longer sell hot snacks to football fans.

A government inspector has told Gerard McGill that he cannot run his food outlet near the car park of Falmer Station on Albion match days.

Mr McGill had appealed to the inspector against Brighton and Hove City Council, which had told him he could not run the mobile hot food and drink take-away in the back garden of a home in Station Approach, Brighton.

Residents had complained that the cooking smells, noise and litter generated by supporters queuing by Peckish Snack Bar had ruined their weekends and evenings.


The burger seller had been operating near the station under a temporary licence ever since the new £100 million American Express Community Stadium opened in August 2011.

However in February, he was given one month to shut down his business after the council ruled he was operating without planning permission.

Mr McGill submitted two planning applications for permanent permission but the council says both were returned to him as key information was missing.

On average, more than 9,000 fans used Falmer Station for every Albion game last season.

In his appeal, Mr McGill asked for approval to run his business for 28 days a year only.
However, Government officials dismissed the appeal and upheld the original enforcement notice due to the unacceptable effects on neighbouring homes.

Martin Randall, Brighton and Hove City Council’s head of planning, said: “We are pleased that the government planning inspector has upheld our decision to service an enforcement notice on Mr McGill.

“Although the council is committed to encouraging small businesses, we also have to ensure that they are located in appropriate sites and do not have a negative impact on residential properties.

“We hope that Mr McGill will now act swiftly to remove the van so that residents can once again enjoy the peace and privacy of their homes and gardens.”

Mr McGill was unavailable for comment.
 










D

Deleted User X18H

Guest
Gerry used to run the Hove Station snack bar. I am sure he was 'mates' with an Albion shareholder for a while. He's a kind of entrepreneur it's a shame really it's totally on private land and not really doing any one any harm.
 




skipper734

Registered ruffian
Aug 9, 2008
9,189
Curdridge
The people in the houses started it. Can't remember the details so will go back to my sauce for an update. Laters.
 


LamieRobertson

Not awoke
Feb 3, 2008
47,871
SHOREHAM BY SEA
very disappointed...enjoyed what they served up...seemed minimal disruption to the immediate area..maybe someone will complain about the station being located there.
 






Hamilton

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 7, 2003
12,875
Brighton
I still don't see what Paul Barber has to do with any of this when...

"Residents had complained that the cooking smells, noise and litter generated by supporters queuing by Peckish Snack Bar had ruined their weekends and evenings."
 




Rugrat

Well-known member
Mar 13, 2011
10,224
Seaford
Ridiculous - "ruined their weekends" who could possibly take such crap seriously. So the burger van has gone their Saturday afternoons are going to become idyllic and countryfied. Maybe they should start a campaign to move Falmer station to behind the East stand and/or close the A27 when they want to open their windows.

Hopefully Barber will do a genuinely good deed and let the bloke put his van above the runway to stadium and charge him a fair rent - not holding my breath!
 








Trigger

Well-known member
Jul 4, 2003
40,457
Brighton
So, rather than having a nice big fat juicy burger on a match day the only choice you will have is the sloppy shit they serve up as an excuse for a burger in the ground?...

No thanks, I'll pass.

They do however do nice food in The Swan which is highly recommended as a much cheaper and tastier option, especially the bacon baps! :drool:
 




skipper734

Registered ruffian
Aug 9, 2008
9,189
Curdridge
The Swan will be next. No parking in Coldean or Scoom, so The Hikers is cut off as a burger alternative. Why do we have to wander around Sussex to obtain a decent Burger on matchdays.
There's a business opportunity here with Uncle Sams in Woodingdean......... if I could only figure out how.
 




narly101

Well-known member
Feb 16, 2009
2,683
London
The Swan is actually looking to extend into the Barn behind the pub. Spoke to the owner on Tuesday night before the Ipswich game. They're struggling with the numbers of people, especially considering the amount, or lack of, toilets. They've decided therefore to open up the barn, just needs a lick of paint apparently, but the problem is they will need to do some construction work to increase the number of loos.

I sincerely hope that the club does not do anything to damage the business attending this wonderful watering hole.
 


Hamilton

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 7, 2003
12,875
Brighton
If Paul Barber had something to do with closing the Burger van down, then why does he allow independent businesses to operate inside the Amex? The sweet stalls for example are operated by an independent business.

What duty of care do the Albion have towards the deals they have signed with independent businesses supplying food to the Amex? These businesses have negotiated deals based upon competition. So, if a burger van was to open on Amex land then they would have a duty to remove it. As it is, this is on private land and residents have objected.

Get a bloody grip will you all. If you don't see that in order to be a successful football club at the top of the leagues then you have to be a successful business then you've lost all sense of reality.

Barber will have no shame if and when he ever shuts down the community aspects of the club all fails in building relationships with supporters groups. He's been employed by TB to do a job.
 








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